Walkers bring in the dollars
It has been a gruelling six months since Theresa Large and her crew decided they would tackle the 100km Oxfam challenge.
And in two weeks’ time the fit foursome will be thankful for the hours of training they have dedicated in preparation.
Large, team leader, said it was a spur of the moment decision to enter the fundraiser considering the longest distance any of the members had walked in one stint was 42km.
‘‘We had some friends who did it last year and when we got together to see how their event went we decided that could be a bit of us.’’
Sheree Flutey, Vicki Craig and Olivia Goh will join Large on the track come April 5.
The group, one of four known to have entered from the South Waikato, has so far raised $2700 for the New Zealand charity and hopes to bump this up to $3000 before they officially tie their laces.
It has been hard to find time to train as a group, she said, but they are feeling fit and prepared.
‘‘It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Back in September we were out for a walk at Waipapa and Sheree was leading us. She was busy telling us to watch out for slips when she slipped and broke her wrist,’’ Large said.
They are a determined bunch, she said, and 10 days later were out walking again.
Training conditions have been perfect and the selection of tracks in the South Waikato is second to none, Large said.
‘‘Apart from training on the South Waikato River Trails we’ve also done a lot of training in the Cougar Park.’’